Rheology of three-phase suspensions determined via dam-break experiments

Three-phase suspensions, of liquid that suspends dispersed solid particles and gas bubbles, are common in both natural and industrial settings. Their rheology is poorly constrained, particularly for high total suspended fractions (greater than or similar to 0.5). We use a dam-break consistometer to characterize the rheology of suspensions of (Newtonian) corn syrup, plastic particles and CO2 bubbles. The study is motivated by a desire to understand the rheology of magma and lava. Our experiments are scaled to the volcanic system: they are conducted in the non-Brownian, non-inertial regime; bubble capillary number is varied across unity; and bubble and particle fractions are 0 <= (gas) <= 0.82 and 0 <= (solid) <= 0.37, respectively. We measure flow-front velocity and invert for a Herschel-Bulkley rheology model as a function of phi(gas), phi(solid), and the capillary number. We find a stronger increase in relative viscosity with increasing phi(gas) in the low to intermediate capillary number regime than predicted by existing theory, and find both shear-thinning and shear-thickening effects, depending on the capillary number. We apply our model to the existing community code for lava flow emplacement, PyFLOWGO, and predict increased viscosity and decreased velocity compared with current rheological models, suggesting existing models may not adequately account for the role of bubbles in stiffening lavas.

Automated summary

Three-phase suspensions, consisting of liquid suspending solid particles and gas bubbles, have rheological properties that are not fully constrained, particularly for high suspended fractions. This study aimed to understand the rheology of magma and lava, finding that bubble content and capillary number have a more complex impact on viscosity than existing theories predict. Further research may be needed to fully account for the role of bubbles in stiffening lava flows.